Sunday, December 28, 2014

Wristwatch Review: Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

For Christmas 2014, my wife got me this nice Pulsar diver-style watch.  It's model PS9319 and she purchased it at Kohl's.  It was originally marked at $145, but with Kohl's sale price + a 30% off coupon + a $10 off coupon for watches over $50, the price came way, way, down to just over $60.

Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

It's a well proportioned watch with nice readable markers and a panoramic date window that I don't need to squint to read.  The watch has a curved mineral crystal, a sunburst dial, and a brilliant blue dial color.  The case and bracelet are stainless steel and the watch is water resistant to 100 meters.  That's a lot to like about a reasonably priced watch from the Seiko family of watch companies.  The only downside to this watch is that it has a non-rotating bezel.  That could result in some burned pizzas.  On the plus side, the bezel can never be knocked askew and will always look great!

Initially, this Pulsar Men's PS9319 Analog Display Japanese Quartz Silver Watch was a little too large.  But, I removed a link using the Android watch repair kit that I won in a contest sponsored by my friends over at ZuluTimeZone.com.  With one link removed, the watch fits perfectly.

The watch has a 45 mm diameter case that is 11.65 mm thick.  That makes the watch just the right size for the office without being too heavy or too big.  The bracelet and case have an alternating high gloss shine and satin finish motif that makes the watch dressy enough for an office and rugged enough for casual wear.

Overall, I like this watch very much.  This Pulsar comes in with great looks, perfect proportions, and a very wearable weight.

Pulsar PS9319 Diver-style Dress Watch

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Watch Shopping Before Christmas

It's Friday night before Christmas at my local mall.  The energy of the holiday shopping crowd is palpable.  Watch stores and kiosks abound.  But, I'm not shopping.  Many watches at Sears are 25% off.  But, I need to buy some tires soon.  Tonight, I'm just an observer.  Unfortunately, the watch stores nearby seem pretty empty to me.

A Watch Retailer at My Local Mall

Why?  Well, for starters, they've tucked the price tags under the watches.  They seem to teach this is Jewelry Merchandising 101.  Thus, you as a customer have to talk to someone before you even know how much your potential purchase might be.  When you finally can see a price, it's likely to be higher than the prices offered on the Internet.  Finally, many of the watches aren't really my style.

If they wanted to lure me in, they'd have prices clearly marked and promotional displays with watches for $50, $75, and $100.  They'd also have a sign promoting certain brands starting at $200.  That would give me a clear indication of where potential gifts would lie in my gift giving budget.  Plus, I don't really want to talk to anyone until I'm hooked on a potential purchase.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Gift Ideas: Watches for Gamblers

Do you or does someone on your gift list enjoy the glitz and glamour of the casino?  A sharp suit, highly polished shoes, cuff links that dazzle, and an incredible watch complete the mental image of a sharp dressed high roller.

Fastest Hands Steve Dacri - Photo By Pattymooney (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

The bright lights of Vegas beckon everyone to the world of wrist watches!


Vegas Strip By Nandaro (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons


For those who close their eyes and imagine the click of a roulette wheel, check out this Invicta Roulette Wheel watch. If any watch company brings the bling to town, it's Invicta. It puts all the glamour of Vegas on right on the wrist.

Invicta Roulette Wheel Watch

Friday, December 12, 2014

A Guide to Ultra Thin Wristwatches for Men

The Quest for the Thinnest Wristwatch

[This article is reprinted in a slightly updated form from my contributions to the now defunct Yahoo Contributors Network.  If you are looking to get or give a sleek thin wristwatch, this Christmas, this guide may still come in handy.]

If you believe the shopping channel watch shows, you'll see that men's wristwatches are growing larger and larger. Some men's watches are up to an inch thick. But, here's a watch making secret: thick watches are easy to make. Thin wristwatches are more challenging to make. I enjoy thin wristwatches like my Grenen Men's Stainless Steel Mesh Watch. It's thin, light, and a joy to wear all day. If you want a watch that is comfortable, practical, and fits under the cuff of your shirt, join me on the quest for the thinnest watch.

Grenen Men's Stainless Steel Mesh Watch


Thin Swiss Mechanical Watches. Our first stop is La Côte-aux-Fées, Switzerland, the birthplace of Piaget. In 1874, Piaget got its start making watch movements. In 1943, they became a full-fledged brand and in 1945 they built a factory that became world renowned for making thin watch movements. In 1957, Piaget introduced the Caliber 9P - a hand-wound mechanical movement that was only 2 millimeters thick. In 1968, Piaget followed up with the Caliber 12P which remains the world's thinnest self-winding watch movement at 2.3 millimeters thick. Since then Piaget has made many sophisticated and very thin movements. Today, Piaget makes premium Swiss watches and fine jewelry. They also make the world's thinnest mechanical wristwatches. For example, the thinnest Piaget is the Piaget Altiplano 43 Automatic watch which has a case that is only 5.25 millimeters thick. Unfortunately, such rare watches have high price tags. The base Piaget Altiplano 43 costs about $19,000. If you want the 43 millimeter Piaget Altiplano in white gold, with the dial surrounded by 88 brilliant-cut diamonds, it will run nearly $30,000.

Thin Quartz Watches. At that price, everyone get back on the jet. Our second stop is the Amazon. No, not the exotic anaconda and piranha-filled Amazon of South America. We're stopping at the watch-filled Amazon: Amazon.com. If we want an ultra thin and affordable watch, the Skagen Men's SKW6068 Havene Quartz 3 Hand Stainless Steel Silver Watch has a case that is 6.5 millimeters thick.  It's thin and has a mesh band. But, it's almost a little too dressy for my taste.

To find a more traditional watch with Roman Numerals, check out the Steinhausen Men's TW493G Dunn Horitzon Thin Swiss Quartz Gold Watch is only 5.5 millimeters thick according to Amazon.com. In a silver finish, the Steinhausen is available for a little less.

Finally, if we pop over to overstock.com, we can find the very traditional Stuhrling Original Men's Black 'Belmont' Ultra Slim Watch for $59.05. It has a 6 millimeter case.

Thin Watches in Local Markets. Of course, I have quite a few watches already. Most of my watches come from affordable sources like Kohl's, Sears, Walmart, and Kmart. So before I buy anything exotic, I'd better grab a ruler and check my own watch collection. I found a great watch called the Hamlin Ultra Thin Dress Watch at Sears and it has a case around 7 millimeters thick. My Grenen watch with a stainless steel mesh band looks great in black, has a stainless steel mesh band, and has a case that is similarly only 7 millimeters thick. It's bigger brother, the Grenen Men's Analog Watch with Subdials has a case that appears to be between 7 and 8 millimeters thick. Since Grenen watches are designed by Skagen and are widely available at Kohl's, I don't need to order a watch today. For less than $100, perfectly comfortable thin watches with cases that are only a quarter inch thick were just around the corner the whole time!

Hamlin Ultra Thin Dress Watch


Sources:

Amazon.com
Overstock.com
Piaget Official Website
"Piaget Altiplano 43 Automatic Wristwatch Hands-On," Ariel Adams. Ablogtoread.com
"Piaget Altiplano Skeleton Ultra-Thin Automatic Watch," Ariel Adams. Ablogtoread.com
WatchTime Buyer's Guide 2012, WatchTime Magazine. Special Edition 2012.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Timex Watches at Walmart: Timex Expedition (Model T49908)

Late at night, it can be fun to peruse the watch counters at Walmart.  It gives me a chance to peruse the watches that are available at affordable prices.  Lately, I've been intrigued by the Timex offering at the big discount store.  For example, some of the Timex Expedition watches pictured below sell for far higher prices at other brick and mortar retailers.

The watch on the far right is intriguing because it reminds me of my AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane watch.  However, without the fighter plane motif and insignia, it's not nearly as cool.  The Timex Expedition on the far left looks much like my Timex Vintage Metal.  It's a birthday gift watch that my wife paid $54 for at Belk.
Premium Timex Watches at Walmart

Of the watches pictured, I am most interested in the second watch from the left.  It's Timex Expedition (Model T49908) and it features a simulated wood grain dial.  The band is leather. 

Timex Expedition (Model T49908)
This Timex Expedition provides a natural look at an affordable price.  I often find good watches at Walmart on clearance or within the realm of an impulse purchase.  Of course, this Timex is available at the best price here on Amazon.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Stuhrling Original Concorso Raceway Watch - Affordable Exotic

A Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Alternative

If you feel the need for speed, there is no greater watch than the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. It's a fantastic watch that sets the standard for fine Swiss-made chronographs. It goes well with all manner of sporting marques from Aston Martin to Lamborghini.

 By Axion23 (Porsche 917 Racecar) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsAdd caption

Unfortunately, the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph isn't a watch that everyone can afford. Good taste doesn't always come with the requisite income.  Luxury brands like Rolex make things worse by pricing themselves far above the modest means of common folks.  They are an exclusive brand. 



Yet, we can dream.  Fortunately, companies like Stuhrling Original can help us make those dreams come true with watches that allow us to show off our good taste and fashion sense.  Speed and taste aren't just for the rich anymore!

By Andrew Basterfield (Lada rally car) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you like the classic looks of a Rolex Daytona, check out the Stuhrling Original Concorso Raceway watches. These watches have the looks and lines of the Rolex Daytona at a fraction of the price.

Sturhling Original Concorso Raceway




Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Watch Sighting: Movado Vizio Stainless Steel Watch

A couple of weeks [and as of 2024 a decade] ago, a co-worker wore an interesting stainless steel Movado Vizio watch.  It had the signature dot at 12 o'clock, but it also had multi-function dials. It was a sensibly sized watch with a 44.5 millimeter diameter case. The stainless steel band was a good manly, man width.  It was a Casio Vizio series watch much like the modern one shown below.  This one has a black carbon fiber dial.  If you'd like to look into this watch, it is available here on the Movado web site.

A Movado Vizio Watch with Carbon Fiber Dial

When it comes to Movado, I prefer some of the simpler "museum watch" and some of the more affordable Movado Bold designs. However, this Movado Vizio watch is a luxury watch that definitely catches the eye.

[In July 2024, this posted was updated to reflect a contemporary Movado Vizio available on the Movado website.]